MEETING SPACE POLICY

LYME PUBLIC LIBRARY

I.                    Statement of Purpose

The Board of Directors of the Lyme Public Library views the use of the library meeting areas as a library service.  The areas shall be available to the library community in its broadest sense and shall reflect the educational, cultural, social and recreational role the Library plays. 

The Board subscribes to Article IV of the Library Bill of Rights, which states that facilities shall be made available to the public served by the given library on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

II.                 Availability

Non-profit, religious, civic, or governmental groups may use the rooms free of charge. Donations to the Lyme Public Library are welcomed and encouraged.  First priority will be given to events conducted or sponsored by the Library or the Town.

Commercial groups or non-Lyme residents/groups may rent meeting space for an hourly or daily rate which will be set by the Library Board.  Rooms will be made available on an equitable basis. The Library reserves the right to cancel meeting space privileges to any individual, group or organization that fails to comply with the stated policies.

Use of the room by a group in no way means the library or Town endorses the particular beliefs or purposes of that group.

Exceptions to this policy may be made at the discretion of the Library Director.

III.              Procedure

Requests for use of the Library’s facilities must be approved by the Library Director.  The application for use of the library’s meeting room must be signed by one responsible adult who will assume responsibility for the following:

1.      If required for opening or locking the building, the library key may be kept overnight only.

2.      There is no smoking in the library.

3.      The library must be left in the order in which it was found - use the vacuum cleaner if necessary, wash dishes, lavatory, etc. if necessary.  Because there is no custodian on staff, groups may be asked to arrange the space to suit their needs.

4.      Check windows, doors, heat and lights before leaving the building.

5.      Library materials and equipment may not be used except with special permission from the Library Director.

6.      The office and work area are for staff members only.

7.      All accidents or problems encountered at any function must be reported to the Librarian as soon as possible.  In an emergency, call the Town Hall, the Library Director or a member of the Library Board.

Approved 6/7/2006